Frigidaire FDB520RHS Review

Ratings by Price

Ratings by Brand

Ratings by Color

Ratings by Users

Safety Info

Frigidaire FDB520RHS Summary »

Best

Average

Fair

Frigidaire
FDB520RHS
MSRP: $279

Discount Price:
Sears

Price
Level

$280

MSRP

Premium
Features

2

Items

Energy
Usage

303

kWh

User
Reviews

3.9

Stars

Overall
Rating

3.4

Dishwasher Highlights »

White-on-White 24" Dishwasher.
This dishwasher is less expensive than average and is priced in the bottom 1% of all dishwashers.
It has less premium features than average and ranks in the bottom 3% of all dishwasher designs.
The FDB520RHS has about average energy usage when compared to all other new dishwashers.
This Frigidaire dishwasher is rated about average by 24 users when compared to all other dishwashers.

Frigidaire FDB520RHS Ratings »

Best

Average

Fair

Cleaning Ratings

Spray Arms	Uses 2 spray arms to clean and rinse the dishes, which is average.
Spray Jets	Does not use any supplemental spray jets to scrub and scour heavily soiled dishes.
Steam	Does not use supplemental steam to loosen stubborn deposits on dishes or glassware.
Wash Levels	Dishes are washed from 4 different levels, which is average. Water from many angles and directions is important for cleaning.
Cycles & Options	You can choose from 5 different cycles and options, which is below average. Cycles and options give you flexibility to fit your lifestyle.
Food Disposer	Includes a built-in food disposer and self-cleaning filter that helps keep the wash water clean and free of debris.
Soil Sensor	Does not use a sensor to measure water cleanliness. There's a higher potential for water to be wasted on unnecessary rinse cycles.
Auto-Temp Control	Does not use a sensor to ensure the temperature is maintained at 135-145 degrees for proper detergent activation.
Sanitary Option	No option to run a high-temperature sanitary cycle that is NSF certified to remove 99.9% of germs and bacteria.
Auto-Clean Cycle	No option to use an automatic cycle that determines the optimal temperature and number of rinse cycles.
High-Temp Option	Includes a high-temperature cycle that helps get heavily soiled dishes clean.

Drying Ratings

Heated Dry	Includes an option to dry the dishes faster with an internal heating element, or you can save energy and let them air dry.
Tub Material	The interior is standard plastic, which does not aid the drying process like other materials such as stainless steel.
Sanitary Rinse	Uses a high-temperature rinse that sanitizes the dishes and helps them to dry faster and more thoroughly.
Vent System	Uses an active vent drying system with a fan that circulates dry outside air through the dishwasher.

Loading Ratings

No. of Racks	The FDB520RHS has a standard 2-rack design with both upper and lower racks.
Spray Tower	Does not use a central tower that takes up rack space and limits loading flexibility in the lower rack.
Adjustable Racks	The racks do not move up, down, or tilt, which takes away some loading flexibility for larger items .
Removable Racks	The racks cannot be removed when you have extra large items that won't fit when both racks are installed.
Fold-Down Tines	Rack divider tines cannot be folded down to secure dishes or make room for larger items.
Cup / Stemware Shelf	Does not have an additional shelf that allows you to stack two levels of glasses or secure delicate stemware during the wash cycle.
Silverware Basket	Uses a standard, removable silverware basket that cannot be relocated inside the dishwasher or doesn't include covered slots.
Utility Basket	Does not have an extra utility basket or tray that can store utensils, small items, or cutlery.
Detergent Dispenser	Uses a standard detergent dispenser that needs to be filled for each wash cycle.

Capacity Ratings

Place Settings	This 24-in built-in dishwasher is designed to hold 12 place settings of dishes, which is 2 place settings less than average.
Tub Size	Standard tub size for lighter volumes of dishes. The shorter tub height is good for repair access, but takes away some rack space.

Efficiency Ratings

Energy Star	The Frigidaire FDB520RHS is Energy Star qualified. It uses 35% less energy, and 43% less water, than older dishwashers.
Energy Ratings	The estimated annual electricity use is 303 kWh according to EnergyGuide ratings. This is 2% better than the average new dishwasher.
Water Ratings	The Dept of Energy estimated water usage is 4.9 gal/cycle. This is 14% higher than the average new dishwasher.
Soil Sensor	Does not use a sensor to measure the amount of soil in the water and adjust the cycle accordingly.
Food Disposer	Includes a built-in food disposer that eliminates the need to prerinse dishes and keeps the filter free from residue build-up.
Energy-Saver Cycle	You can select an economy cycle that uses lower temperatures and less water for lightly-soiled dishes.
Half-Load Option	No option to save water and energy by washing a smaller load in either the upper or lower rack.
Delay-Start Option	No option to automatically run the dishwasher overnight, or during off-peak energy hours, when utility rates may be lower.

Noise Ratings

The FDB520RHS noise level is 59 dBA, which is 4 dBA louder than average. A 3 dBA increase is like being 50% closer to the dishwasher.

Style Ratings

Door	Standard black or white front seems to never go out of style, and is easy to color-coordinate with the rest of your kitchen.
Interior	Standard white plastic tub and door lining is commonly used, but may be somewhat susceptible to staining and odor absorption over time.
Controls	All-digital touch-pad controls are visible from the front for a high-tech, modern look.
Display	Door panel does not have a digital display that shows cycle time remaining or other pertinent information.

Price Ratings

MSRP

The MSRP is $279, which is about $480 less than the price of an average dishwasher.